Dawn of Eve, MJ Howson [lightweight ebook reader TXT] 📗

Janet emerged from behind the counter and put a comforting arm around Dawn’s shoulder. She said, “You have nothing to apologize for. Losing a child is devastating.”

“It hasn’t been easy.” Dawn wiped her eyes dry. “It’s given me nightmares. Still.”

Dawn turned back and moved closer to the doll. She began to twist the curls in Eve’s hair, trying to even them out. She then took the locket in the palm of her hand and ran her thumb in slow circles across the engraved front casing.

“You . . . you said everything in this store has a story.” Dawn ran her hand across Eve’s dusty cheeks. “What’s hers?”

“Oh, it’s too long to tell.” Janet gently tapped a fingernail against the glass top next to the doll. “As I said earlier, it’s all about matching the buyer to the item. And nobody’s been worthy of Eve. Yet.”

“May I?” Dawn put her hands around the doll and waited for Janet to nod. She then picked Eve up and cradled the doll in her arms. Dawn nuzzled her nose against the doll’s head, noting the faint scent of burnt dust. Eve’s eyelids snapped closed, surprising Dawn. She tilted the doll again, causing them to open. “They move!”

“Yes. But they stick sometimes.”

Dawn adjusted Eve and noticed the doll’s arms and legs moved. She looked at Janet and said, “She’s porcelain but articulates?”

“Yes. Her hands, feet, and head turn too. She’s special.”

Dawn rocked the doll back and forth as if it were her own baby, Eve’s eyes clicking and clacking as they opened and closed. The locket tumbled softly against the doll’s dress. Dawn caught it with her hand and began to twirl it in her fingers. The back of the locket had an inscription–12/22. She looked at Janet and asked, “Is that a date?”

“That’s her birthday.”

“What?” Dawn stopped rocking the doll. “December twenty-second?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Eve’s due date–my Eve–was due near Christmas.” Dawn hugged Eve. “Don’t you see? The name? The date? It’s fate.”

Janet smiled and nodded. She said, “You two do look good together. But, as I said, Eve’s special. I can’t let just anyone take her home.”

“Oh, but you must. I’ll . . . I’ll pay any price.”

“It’s not about the money.”

“I promise to give her a good home.”

Janet sighed and folded her arms. She lowered her bifocals and rested them across her nose. Janet’s ice blue eyes darted back and forth between Dawn and Eve. She said, “Are you sure you two belong together?”

“I am. I can tell–”

“I was talking to Eve.”

“Oh.” Dawn stopped rocking Eve back and forth. She found Janet’s stare to be quite unsettling.

Janet moved closer, slid her hands around the doll’s waist, and slowly pried it from Dawn. She stared into Eve’s eyes and gently cradled the doll in her arms, carefully taking the locket into her hands.

“Okay,” Janet said. She nodded and kissed Eve’s cheek. “Okay.”

Dawn’s heart sank as Janet carried Eve behind the counter. She was so sure the doll was meant for her. Dawn wondered what else she could say or do to convince the owner.

“Can . . . can I at least say goodbye?” Dawn asked.

“Goodbye? I’m going to take her in back and clean her up for you.”

“Really?” Dawn clasped her fingers together. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt this excited. “She’s mine?”

“Yes. Eve’s been waiting for you. I think you’re the one.”

Twelve

A Busy Guy

Jacob, his feet pounding against the pavement, kept his eyes deadlocked on One World Trade Center rising in the distance. Sweat poured from the black headband clinging to his forehead. The backpack draped across his back furiously bounced as he neared the end of his half-mile run along the Hudson River. The crowded walkway made it difficult for him to maintain a steady pace. Jacob glanced over his shoulder to check on his current client, Jeff. Although this wasn’t a competition, Jacob couldn’t help but grin at seeing Jeff struggling to match his pace. He glanced at his smartwatch–a recent purchase–to confirm he and Jeff were reaching their goals.

The Hudson River Café at Pier 45 marked the end of the sprint. Jacob came to a halt and spun around to wait for Jeff. He clapped his hands and cheered Jeff on as he got closer.

“Push it, Jeff!” Jacob yelled.

Once Jeff passed him, Jacob tapped the timer on his watch. He waited for Jeff to wind down and come back to the café.

“Three minutes and ten seconds,” Jacob said. “That’s a new personal best. Congrats.”

“You . . . you still kicked my ass.” Jeff bent over and gripped his knees as he gasped for air. “Christ.”

Jeff was one of Jacob’s regular fitness clients. At thirty-three, Jeff was what Jacob called “all meat, no mojo.” The last time they did a body fat composition analysis, Jeff clocked in at ten percent. The guy was ripped. But up until he hired Jacob, all Jeff did was focus on weights and diet. Cardio never interested him. Jeff hired Jacob to get his insides as sculpted as his physique.

Jacob slipped the backpack from his shoulders and retrieved two bottles of water. Each contained Jacob’s own concoction of recovery supplements, including electrolytes and amino acids. He cracked one open and passed the other to Jeff. Jeff chugged half of it down while still trying to catch his breath.

“You’re not even breathing heavy,” Jeff said. He pulled himself upright and shook his head. “I don’t think I’ll ever get as fit as you.”

“Nonsense.” Jacob pulled his cellphone from his backpack and began scrolling through the pile of notifications. “If you work at it and focus and stay committed, your goals and dreams will come true. You’ve got to invest in your future.”

Jeff leaned against the wall of the café and began stretching his legs. Jacob assisted, holding him in place and helping him to get a full extension.

“You’re making good progress, Jeff. Stick with me.”

“I plan to. These cardio workouts you put me through